Latest news with #AppStore
Irish Examiner
an hour ago
- Business
- Irish Examiner
Elon Musk says he plans to sue Apple for not featuring X or Grok among top apps
Billionaire SpaceX, Tesla and X owner Elon Musk says he plans to sue Apple for not featuring X and its Grok artificial intelligence chatbot app in the top recommended apps in its App Store. Mr Musk posted the comments on X late on Monday, saying: 'Hey @Apple App Store, why do you refuse to put either X or Grok in your 'Must Have' section when X is the #1 news app in the world and Grok is #5 among all apps? Are you playing politics? What gives? Inquiring minds want to know.' Grok is owned by Mr Musk's artificial intelligence startup xAI. Mr Musk went on to say that 'Apple is behaving in a manner that makes it impossible for any AI company besides OpenAI to reach #1 in the App Store, which is an unequivocal antitrust violation. xAI will take immediate legal action'. He gave no further details. There was no immediate comment from Apple, which has faced various allegations of antitrust violations in recent years. A judge recently found that Apple violated a court injunction in an antitrust case filed by Fortnite maker Epic Games. The opening page of X is displayed on a computer and phone (Rick Rycroft/AP) Regulators of the European Union fined Apple €500m in April for breaking competition rules by preventing app makers from pointing users to cheaper options outside its App Store. Last year, the EU fined the US tech giant nearly $2bn for unfairly favouring its own music streaming service by forbidding rivals like Spotify from telling users how they could pay for cheaper subscriptions outside of iPhone apps. As of early Tuesday, the top app in Apple's App Store was TikTok, followed by Tinder, Duolingo, YouTube and Bumble. Open AI's ChatGPT was ranked 7th. Read More Elon Musk accuses Apple of unfairly favouring OpenAI on iPhone
Mint
an hour ago
- Mint
Parents struggling with kids' screen time may finally get relief with iOS 26
Lately, there's been a massive rise in kids' screen time, leaving parents worried about the impact on studies, health, and social skills. Apple seems to have taken note. With iOS 26, the company is rolling out a set of powerful parental controls designed to help families take back control of digital habits. From stricter contact approvals to smarter screen time alerts, the update introduces tools that directly tackle the struggles parents face daily. Age-Appropriate Experiences built in With iOS 26, iPadOS 26, and macOS 26, Apple is introducing a feature called Age Appropriate Experiences. Parents can set their child's age range, and app developers will automatically adjust in-app content accordingly. This ensures that even if children download apps approved for their age, the content they see remains suitable. Parents can decide whether this information is always shared, shared with permission, or never shared, giving families greater flexibility in how controls are applied. Smarter contact approvals Protecting children from strangers online has long been a concern. iOS 26 adds a new approval system for messaging. If a child tries to add a new contact, they'll see a pop-up prompting them to ask a parent or guardian for approval. Parents then receive a notification with the contact's details and can accept, decline, or delay the request. This step aims to reduce the risk of kids being targeted by unknown individuals while giving parents visibility into who their children are communicating with. More transparency in screen time requests Screen time limits are already part of Apple's parental control suite, but iOS 26 strengthens them. Kids often request extra time on apps, which requires the parent's passcode. The upcoming update introduces a safeguard. Parents will now receive a notification whenever their passcode is used. This prevents children who may have memorised or guessed the code from secretly extending their screen time. Another useful addition is a new exception request button on App Store pages. If a child wants to download an app that's normally restricted, they can send a request directly to a parent. Once approved, the app becomes available for download, but parents can revoke access at any time. This option is particularly handy for temporary needs, such as using YouTube for a school project, without permanently changing restrictions. A stronger safety net for families Apple has been steadily building its parental control ecosystem, but the iOS 26 updates mark a notable step forward. By focusing on contact safety, content suitability, time management, and flexible permissions, these tools offer parents more practical ways to guide their child's digital habits. The changes will roll out with the public release of iOS 26 later this year, giving families a fresh set of tools to balance freedom and safety in an increasingly connected world.
Daily Mail
2 hours ago
- Business
- Daily Mail
Could an app really make you better with money? Putting a smart money app to the test
Flights and hotels, weddings, al fresco dinners... Summer is wonderful, but it's not cheap! With endless demands on our bank accounts at this time of the year, it's no wonder many of us are feeling the pinch. Against this backdrop, it's easy to see why there's lots of interest in tools that can help us save more and spend less. One of these is Plum, a smart money app that's free to download on the App Store or Google Play, with more than 2.2million people already on board. So, what's all the fuss about? Below, we put the app to the test by breaking down its features one by one. Could an app help make you better with money? Read on to find out! This is not financial advice. Plum is not a bank. Getting started Finance apps aren't always easy for new users to navigate, but fortunately, Plum keeps things simple. First, you download the app and follow the instructions to create your account. You'll then be asked to link the app to your bank account - an important step, as we'll explain later. Plum has lots of clever features, but its two fantastic key functions are that it: 1. Automates the process of saving money from your bank account using intelligent rules known as 'Auto Savers' 2. Grows your savings by offering competitive returns on various accounts and tax-wrappers, like Cash ISAs. We'll now look at both of these in turn. Automatic saving is at the heart of Plum, and its Auto Savers control how this process works. When you turn on the main rule, 'Automatic', the app's AI peers into your bank account and scans your incomings and outgoings to calculate what you can afford to spare each week, before setting it aside on your behalf. At this point, you might ask why this automation is necessary when you could simply make manual transfers yourself. What else can Plum do? Before you start thinking Plum is only about saving and investing, let's take a look at what else it can do too. Remember reading how its AI scans your bank account to understand your income and spending habits? This is incredibly useful for budgeting, as it enables the app to generate a monthly overview of your upcoming payments - detailing all your bills and subscriptions for the month ahead. Plum would answer by saying it's about ease and effectiveness. Ease, because remembering to make regular manual transfers is a hassle. And effectiveness, because by moving money on your behalf into your ring-fenced savings, Plum removes the temptation to spend it. This way, the app helps you build a regular, consistent savings habit - a proven way of saving more money over time. Plum's other Auto Savers range from the practical, like Weekly Depositor - which transfers a set amount each week - to funkier savings challenges. These include the 52-Week Challenge, which saves £1 in the first week of the year before increasing this by £1 each time until you get to £1,378 by the end. If you're ambitious, you can enable all nine Auto Savers at once, although some require a paid subscription. Lots of users who've never automated their savings before are amazed at how much they manage to save in a relatively short period. Where your money ends up Plum lets you transfer your savings into a range of different accounts. While these are the same as those offered by many banking apps, Plum stands out by offering highly competitive interest rates. This includes 4.41% AER (variable)* on Cash ISAs - which let you save up to £20,000 a year tax free - and 4.10% AER (variable) on Lifetime ISAs (Rate as at 13/08/2025 - terms apply). Plum also offers access to a range of professionally managed investment funds through a Stocks and Shares ISA or self-invested pension (SIPP). Keep in mind, as with all investing, your capital is at risk. So, depending on where you're at with your finances, it covers most of the account types you may need. Is Plum safe? Some people may feel squeamish about handing over control of their money to an app. But with Plum, you always remain in control, with the ability to withdraw your money or change the size of your automatic deposits at any time. The app prioritises safety and privacy by using 256-bit TLS encryption and supporting face and fingerprint ID verification. Plum is authorised and regulated by the UK's Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). And if you ever need help, a friendly customer support team is available 7 days a week. Plum protects your money in several ways, depending on the product you use. Funds in interest pockets, ISAs, and certain savings accounts are held with FSCS‑protected banks, offering cover up to £85,000 per person, per bank. You can read the full details here. Conclusion: Does Plum deliver? Well done, you've got to the end of our review! Now for the question we started with: is Plum really the answer to making you better with money this summer? For two key reasons, we think it is. By automating saving, Plum helps you save more money without even noticing. And because it keeps your savings with competitive interest options outside your bank account, there's less temptation to raid them. It's up to you whether you want to invest any of your money. But if you do, Plum makes the process simpler and more accessible. All in all, we'd say that's a pretty 'Plum' deal! *Rate includes a Plum bonus of 1.37% AER (variable) if kept for 12 consecutive months and is for new customers only. The interest rate for ISA transfers is 3.04% AER (variable). Interest on our Cash ISA varies.
Time Business News
7 hours ago
- Time Business News
Mastering Your Apple Device: Simplifying App Management and Downloads
Apple devices are renowned for their seamless performance, sleek design, and extensive app ecosystem. Yet, even the most devoted users sometimes find themselves overwhelmed when it comes to managing apps, downloading content, or organizing files efficiently. From the sheer volume of apps on the App Store to the challenge of keeping photos, videos, and documents in order, Apple device management can become a time-consuming task. Luckily, modern software solutions are stepping in to make this process simpler, faster, and more organized. Efficient app management is more than just installing and uninstalling programs. Users need tools that allow them to access apps quickly, update them without hassle, and even explore content beyond the usual App Store offerings. This includes popular games, free ringtones, HD wallpapers, and other multimedia elements that personalize a device. Without a reliable management system, users often face duplicate files, storage issues, or missed updates, which can reduce the overall experience of owning a high-performance Apple device. One tool that stands out in this arena is 爱思助手. Known internationally as Aisi Assistant, this software offers a comprehensive approach to Apple device management. It combines professional flashing and jailbreaking capabilities with a high-speed, one-click platform for downloading millions of genuine Apple apps and multimedia content. Whether you're a casual user or a tech enthusiast, Aisi Assistant allows for smooth file handling, easy installation of games, ringtones, and wallpapers, and ensures that all your apps stay current without manual effort. The software's interface is user-friendly, making advanced device management accessible even to those less familiar with technical procedures. Beyond app management, keeping an Apple device organized requires a strong approach to file handling. Photos, videos, music, and documents often accumulate rapidly, consuming valuable storage space. Without proper tools, navigating through folders, backing up data, or freeing up memory can become tedious. Aisi Assistant addresses this by offering seamless file management. Users can sort files, move content between devices, and even back up essential data in just a few clicks. This level of control ensures that your Apple device remains efficient, responsive, and ready for everyday tasks. Another critical feature is its ability to clear a device's internal memory with a single action, optimizing performance without extra effort. Regular backups are an essential aspect of Apple device maintenance. Data loss can occur due to accidental deletion, device damage, or software issues. Aisi Assistant ensures that photos, contacts, videos, and important documents are preserved safely. Users can schedule backups or perform them on-demand, providing peace of mind that valuable information remains secure. Additionally, the software's intuitive interface allows users to restore data quickly, reducing downtime in the case of unexpected problems. This combination of convenience and reliability makes it an invaluable tool for both personal and professional users. For those who explore the more technical side of Apple devices, Aisi Assistant also provides flashing and jailbreaking capabilities. While these functions are often considered advanced, Aisi Assistant simplifies the process. Flashing allows users to reinstall the device's operating system, ensuring stability or upgrade to a compatible version. Jailbreaking, when done correctly, enables access to features and apps outside the official App Store. By providing a safe, guided environment, Aisi Assistant empowers users to explore these possibilities without the usual risks associated with manual procedures. The software's comprehensive design means it caters to both casual users and tech enthusiasts alike. Whether you want to quickly download the latest game, access a rare app, back up family photos, or optimize device performance, Aisi Assistant offers a single platform to handle all these needs. Its speed, efficiency, and intuitive interface remove the complexity traditionally associated with Apple device management. Users no longer have to switch between multiple applications or navigate confusing menus. Everything from app installation to memory management is integrated smoothly, offering a superior experience. Moreover, Aisi Assistant's commitment to reliability ensures that users are always accessing genuine, high-quality content. Millions of Apple apps, HD wallpapers, free ringtones, and popular games are available at one click, eliminating the uncertainty of unverified downloads. The software's high-speed capabilities mean that even large files are handled efficiently, reducing waiting times and keeping devices ready for immediate use. This combination of security, speed, and convenience positions Aisi Assistant as a must-have tool for anyone looking to maximize their Apple device's potential. Finally, for anyone seeking a complete Apple device management solution, Aisi Assistant offers unmatched versatility. From flashing and jailbreaking to downloading millions of apps and multimedia files, managing contacts, and optimizing memory, it provides everything needed in one easy-to-use platform. Its professional-grade capabilities are packaged in a way that is approachable for everyday users, removing the technical barriers that often hinder effective device management. Choosing Aisi Assistant means embracing a smarter, faster, and more organized approach to Apple device ownership. TIME BUSINESS NEWS
Yahoo
11 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
‘America's Got Talent' is finally going live. Here's how to vote for your favorite act
After nearly three months, 'America's Got Talent' has finally reached the live portion of the competition — meaning it's time for viewers to weigh in on their favorite acts. The 'AGT' Season 20 competition is now down to 44 quarterfinalists. The first 11 will perform live Tuesday night for a chance to make it to the semifinals. Here's a rundown of how to vote. How to vote for acts on 'AGT' Season 20 Eleven acts will take the 'AGT' stage Tuesday night in the first of four quarterfinal rounds. During each episode, one act will receive a golden buzzer from the judges that allows them to skip the semifinals and advance straight to the finale. And three acts will advance to the semifinals, determined by viewers at home. According to there are two ways viewers can cast their votes for their favorite act: Through the 'America's Got Talent' app, which is available for download in the App Store or Google Play Online at Voting for the 11 acts featured on Tuesday's episode of 'AGT' begins at 6 p.m. MDT and closes Wednesday at 5 a.m. MDT. Fans can cast up to 10 votes for each act, through both methods. 'AGT' will reveal the top three acts advancing to the semifinals during a one-hour results show that airs Wednesday night. Who is competing on 'AGT' tonight? Per the following 11 acts are competing Tuesday night: LightWire, dance and light-up act Charity Lockhart, singer Jourdan Blue, singer Shuler King, comedian Tom Sandoval & the most Extras, cover band Bay Melnick Virgolino, singer Loco Pop Familia, dance group CitiLimitz, singers Phobias, magic act Sirca Marea, aerial acrobatics B Unique Crew, dance group When is the 'AGT' Season 20 finale? The four rounds of the 'AGT' quarterfinals will air through Sept. 10, per 'AGT' semifinals will air Sept. 16 and 17, with the two-part finale concluding the season on Sept. 23 and 24. Solve the daily Crossword
